Staycation at Crane’s Beach House, Delray Posted on August 10, 2020August 10, 2020 by Mandy Mizell I had the pleasure of being hosted at Crane’s Beach House for a staycation that offered a full-on latitude adjustment. The property is located in Delray Beach, however Crane’s Beach House feels like a slice of the Keys got squeezed into Palm Beach County. This boutique hotel is tucked away just a block off of the bustle of Atlantic Avenue at 82 Gleason St. After rising for the day in their coastal chic luxury villa and enjoying a cup of java on their private patio, I sketched out a daytrip itinerary to take in the unique offerings of this seaside town. It has been tested and approved by The Flohemian to bring you A Delightful Day in Delray. Join the Sunrise Sea Turtle Patrol Crane’s Beach House is just 4 blocks from the beach, making it a 5-minute leisurely walk until your toes hit the sand. Between the months of April-November you may be lucky enough to catch a sea turtle hatchling make its way to shore. Palm Beach County is blessed to have three species of sea turtles nest on their natal beach: Loggerheads, Green Sea Turtles and the mighty Leatherbacks. You will likely see a volunteer guide them to shore but keep your distance and adore watching nature do its work undisturbed. Getting up at sunrise the primetime to see a hatchling and it is your best bet to enjoy the beach in sweet solitude before other sun-worshippers arrive. Caffeinate at the Colombian Coffee House For a taste of Cartegena, Colombian Coffee House serves beans from the motherland and Latin American bites, better known as bocadillos. Kickstart your day with a sweet corn arepa or pandebono, a traditional Colombian cheese bread made with cassava flour that gives it a fluffy, cloud-like texture. If you swing back through in the afternoon, order an espresso for a pick-me-up or cool down with their frozen Coco Lemonade. It resembles a creamy Limón Colada, offering a kick of electrolytes to hydrate for sunny South Florida days. Promenade through Pineapple Grove This colorful neighborhood on 2nd Avenue serves as the arts and cultural district of Delray Beach. It is stacked with galleries, shops and unique eateries such as Brule Bistro and Rose’s Daughter. Diverse boutiques are decorated with creative murals to invite patrons to snap pictures and shop. A local favorite is Bedner’s Farm Fresh Market providing sustainable, local produce shipped in from Bedner’s Farm located about 20 minutes away in Boynton Beach. After social distance protocols are lifted, be sure to visit the art incubator, Arts Warehouse which serves as a working studio space and gallery to local artists and designers. Take a Poolside Siesta at Crane’s Beach House Cool down from your walkabout town in one of the two pools on property at Crane’s Beach House. The property is protected by lush tropical flora offering opportunities for both shade or sunning in privacy. Rinse in their tropical tiki shower before you take a dip, then rest in the sandy poolside to drift off before taking in Delray after dark. Dine in a Historic Home Delray is known for its collection of eclectic eateries ranging from classic Italian to New American flavor excursions, many of which are housed in historic homes. Try out the avant garde Dada located in the 1924 Tarrimore House. Dada’s ambiance is complimented by out-of-the-box American fare with a cultural twist. Journey off to Death or Glory located in the 1925 Falcon house. The Falcon House was the homestead of Delray for saints, sinners and mostly drunks, and D.O.G. upholds this tradition with a camouflaged tiki bar located in the carport of the original home. This local legend also once housed one of Florida’s first screenwriters, which you can read about in my previous blog post. Sip at a Prohibition Era Speakeasy From the exterior, The Wine Room resembles any tasting room and shop for vinophiles. What is not obvious, is this wine bar holds a piece of Prohibition history in The Old Arcade Bar. This 115-year-old speakeasy with the original wood-carved bar is rumored to have a secret passage that runs to The Colony Hotel. If being drenched in the bootlegging history of Delray does not serve you, then perhaps the 2,000 wine offerings and 100 artisanal cheeses from around the world will. This is the ultimate spot for a nightcap before you retreat back to your private paradise at Crane’s. To see more ways to enjoy the town while staying at Crane’s Beach House, see my other posts on Delray Beach.
